Prelate tells Nigerians to vote, not fight
That Christians started the Lenten season three days to the presidential and National Assembly elections is an indication that God has begun the process of healing Nigeria.
Asserting this, on Ash Wednesday, during a special anointing service at Restoration Parish of Motailatu Church of God (MCG), Akute, Ogun State, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Gabriel Akinadewo, told citizens to emulate the life of Jesus Christ in purity, patriotism, sacrifice and selfless service to humanity while voting tomorrow.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer, the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. It takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday.
Akinadewo, Senior Superintendent at the Church, admonished Nigerians to seek God’s face before and during the elections.
“It is obvious that a few things are wrong in Nigeria, and God will only heal this country if we humble ourselves, pray and turn from wicked ways,” he said, adding that Nigerians could use the Lenten season and elections on February 25 and March 11 to restore the country to its rightful place in the comity of nations.
ALSO, the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Aba, has enjoined the electorate to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to talk and eschew violence of any kind during the elections. He made the call, yesterday, in a release by his Media, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Advisor, Rev. Oladapo Daramola.
His words: “We are in a historic moment. It is a time that, as citizens, we have the opportunity to make a change that we anticipate will bring us the much needed joy and happiness. We have endured pain and hardship for too long, and we cannot afford to get it wrong again.”
“To this end, we need to go out there and vote according to our conscience. All the candidates have presented us with their manifestoes and have referred us to their track records. The choice is now ours.”
The prelate charged the political class and the candidates to lead the way by ensuring that they avoid negative rhetoric that can incite violence of any kind and they must be willing to accept the outcome of the elections. He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create an atmosphere for free and fair elections, to promote peace and safety for all.
“We have prayed and fasted. It is now for us to do the needful; go out and vote,” he added.
